G17-98 ,,,' Ordinance No. G17-98
AN ORDINANCE
AMENDING CHAPTER 16 . 24 ENTITLED ELECTRICAL CODE OF THE
ELGIN MUNICIPAL CODE, 1976 , AS AMENDED
WHEREAS, the City of Elgin may adopt by reference any
published compilation of rules and regulations prepared by a
nationally recognized technical trade or service association
pursuant to the provisions of Article 1, Division 3 of the
Illinois Municipal Code ( 65 ILCS 5/1-3-1 et seq. ) ; and
WHEREAS, the NFPA 70 National Electric Code, 1996 Edition,
governs installations of electric conductors and equipment
within or on public or private building or other structures,
including mobile homes, recreational vehicles, and floating
buildings ; and other premises such as yards, carnival, parking,
and other lots and industrial substations; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Elgin has
determined it is necessary and desirable to adopt the NFPA 70
National Electric Code, 1996 Edition, as published by the
National Fire Protection Association, with the additions,
insertions, deletions and changes prescribed in this ordinance;
and
e.'` WHEREAS, one copy of the NFPA 70 National Electric Code,
1996 Edition, has been on file with the City Clerk for more
than thirty days preceding the passage of this ordinance, in
accordance with Section 1-3-2 of the Illinois Municipal Code
( 65 ILCS 5/1-3-2 ) .
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS :
Section 1 . That Chapter 16 . 24 , Section 16 . 24 . 010 of the
Elgin Municipal Code, 1976 , as amended, be and is hereby
amended to read as follows :
16 . 24 . 010 ADOPTED-EXCEPTIONS .
That a certain document, one ( 1 ) copy of which is on file
in the office of the City Clerk of the City of Elgin, being
marked and designated as the NFPA 70 National Electric Code,
1996 Edition, as published by the National Fire Protection
Association be and is hereby adopted as and shall be known as
the Electrical Code of the City of Elgin, governing
installations of electric conductors and equipment within or on
public or private building or other structures, including
mobile homes, recreational vehicles, and floating buildings;
and other premises such as yards, carnival, parking, and other
lots and industrial substations; and each and all of the
regulations, provisions, penalties, conditions and terms of
said the NFPA 70 National Electric Code, 1996 Edition, are
�r•. hereby referred to, adopted, and made a part hereof, as if
fully set out in this ordinance, with the additions,
insertions , deletions and changes prescribed in this chapter.
It shall be mandatory that all equipment, material, devices,
and appliances covered by the provisions of this code shall be
tested and listed by a standard testing laboratory, of
nationally accepted stature, which performs services equal to,
or greater than, in those performed by the Underwriters
Laboratories , Inc . In those instances where it is impossible to
receive such a listing or label, the Department of Code
Administration shall make the determination of acceptability.
Section 2 . That Chapter 16 . 24, Section 16 . 24 . 020,
entitled Definitions, shall be amended to read as follows :
A. "Electrical contractor" , as used in this
chapter, means any person, firm, or corporation engaged in
the business of installing or altering by contract,
electrical equipment for the utilization of electricity
supplied for light, heat, or power, not including
apparatus, conductors, or other equipment installed for,
or by, public utilities, including common carriers which
are under the jurisdiction of the Illinois Commerce
Commission for use in their operation as public utilities;
but the term "electrical contractor" does not include
employees employed by any person, firm, or corporation to
e'' do or supervise such work.
B. "Electrical equipment" , as used in this chapter,
means conductors and equipment installed for the
utilization of the electricity supplied for light, heat,
or power, but does not include radio apparatus or
equipment for wireless reception of sounds and signals ,
and does not include apparatus, conductors and other
equipment installed for, or by, public utilities,
including common carriers, which are under the
jurisdiction of the Illinois Commerce Commission for use
in their operation as public utilities .
C . "Owner Occupant" , as used in this chapter, shall
mean any person who is the owner and occupant of a single
family detached residence, not being used for any rental
purposes, where specific electrical work is to be done.
D. "Code Official" , as used in this chapter, means
the officer or other designated authority charged with the
administration and enforcement of this code, or a duly
authorized representative.
Section 3 . That Chapter 16 . 24 , Section 16 . 24 . 040 ,
entitled Permits-Required, shall be amended to read as follows :
'4 A. Any person, firm or corporation installing or
altering electrical equipment shall apply to the
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Department of Code Administration for an electrical
permit. Electrical plans and specifications for proposed
installation or alteration of multiple family dwellings ( 3
or more units ) , commercial or industrial, must be
submitted to the Department of Code Administration for
approval and shall be sealed by a registered architect or
professional engineer. The approved plans shall be
available on the job site at all times .
B. Permits for work performed under this code may
be issued only to registered electrical contractors or to
the owner-occupant of single family detached residences
doing their own work. Electrical contractors shall
furnish bona fide proof of their current electrical
contractors registration. Owners shall satisfy the
prequalification provisions of the city prior to being
granted a permit.
Section 4 . That Chapter 16 . 24 , Section 16 . 24 . 060,
entitled Inspections Required, shall be amended to read as
follows :
A. Electrical work shall be inspected prior to being
concealed or covered and upon completion. Failure to receive
an approved required inspection shall result in the uncovering
or opening up for inspection at the direction of the code
official . All safety and code compliance of work performed
shall be the continuing responsibility of the permit applicant .
A final inspection approval is required by the City of Elgin.
The permit applicant shall be responsible for insuring that a
final inspection is completed by the City of Elgin' s
appropriate inspector immediately upon completion of the
permitted project. A permit which does not show any inspection
to confirm continuing work for over a six (6 ) month period,
shall be considered expired. A renewal fee may be paid to
extend the permit prior to its expiration.
B. When a temporary or permanent service is installed,
the applicant shall request an inspection. The code official
shall then notify the local utility upon approval of the work.
C. The Department of Code Administration shall be
notified eight ( 8 ) regular working hours in advance for
service, underslab, rough and final inspection. When the work
has been approved, a notice of approval will be posted on or in
the building
D. All institutional , commercial and industrial
occupancies, using electricity for lighting, heating and/or
power, may be subject to inspection at least annually. The
Department of Code Administration shall furnish the person,
firm or corporation occupying or in charge of the premise
inspected, a written notice of any required changes or
alterations required. Such changes shall be made within thirty
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fir.. ( 30) days after receipt of such written notice. If, in the
opinion of the code official, such changes shall be made
sooner, such notice shall be given. The changes or alterations
required by such notice shall be reinspected by the code
official .
Section 5 . That Chapter 16 . 24 , Section 16 . 24 . 080 ,
entitled Service Capacity and Equipment--All Occupancies, shall
be amended to read as follows :
A. The minimum service capacity for each dwelling unit
shall be a 100 amp service with a minimum 16 branch circuit
panel . Four ( 4 ) spaces for branch circuits shall be provided
for future use. Split bus, and tandem breakers are prohibited.
Panel schedules and load calculations shall be required for
each installation.
B. The minimum service capacity for each mobile home
shall be a 100 amp service with a minimum 10 branch circuit
panel . Two (2) spaces for branch circuits shall be provided
for future use. Split bus and tandem breakers are prohibited.
C. Where the disconnecting means is installed within a
building it shall be located within 5 ' of the point where such
conduit enters the building. Refer to N.E.C. 230-6 to
determine the point of conduit entry.
eft
D. Service entrance conductors shall be continuous,
(without splice) , from service head to meter fitting and
service disconnecting means . Duplex service entrance
conductors shall have an ampacity of two #1 & one #2 copper
conductors when one service riser is used in an overhead
installation.
All single family and duplex dwellings requiring
separate riser installation shall have a minimum service
capacity of two #2 & one #3 copper conductors .
Note: Revision of services not requiring a
change in service panel may continue the use of
tandem breakers . All other revisions will conform to
new service requirements .
E. Service risers shall be steel rigid metal conduit
(NEC 346 ) , from service head to disconnecting means . Electrical
metallic tubing may be used for temporary services . Service
risers shall be a minimum of 1 1/4 inch in size and a minimum
of 2 1/2 inches in size when used as a support for the service
drop. Roof plates shall not be used as a service drop support.
F. Panels shall be installed in each occupancy in newly
constructed buildings . Each service main breaker must be marked
so it is easily identified as to which unit is being served.
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eow G. The connection from the distribution panels in a
mobile home to the power source shall be installed in 1 1/4" or
larger steel rigid metal conduit.
H. Each mobile home shall have an approved grounding
system to the shell and metal framework. Grounding
requirements shall conform to Section 16 . 24 . 100 .
I . Fittings : There shall be no junction or outlet boxes
in a service run. Weathertight fittings shall be used in
service runs from service head to meter cabinets . Revision of
services shall conform to new service requirements .
Section 6 . That Chapter 16 . 24 , Section 16 . 24 . 090,
entitled Grounding, shall be amended to read as follows :
A. Services shall be grounded to a metallic cold
water pipe and to a supplementary electrode, as provided
by the National Electrical Code (NEC 250-81) .
Where this supplementary electrode is a ground
rod, the rod shall be a minimum 3/4" x 10 feet one
piece copper clad or stainless clad rod driven to a
depth of at least 9 ' 6" . Where ground rods are used,
there shall be one ( 1) rod installed for services up
to 400 amps and two (2 ) rods installed for services
e larger than 400 amps with spacing between rods as per
the National Electrical Code.
B. Grounding to building fire sprinkler systems is
prohibited.
C . The grounding electrode conductor shall be an
insulated copper conductor. This conductor shall be
routed to avoid physical damage to the conductor (NEC
250-92 ) .
D. A bonding conductor shall be installed around
the water meter and shut-off valves on all services .
E . An equipment bonding jumper shall be used to
connect the grounding terminal of a grounding - type
receptacle to a grounded box (NEC 250-74 , deleting
exception 1,2 , and 3 ) .
F. Electrical continuity at service equipment where
concentric or eccentric knockouts are used shall be
assured by the use of bonding-type (grounding) bushings .
G. All raceways in other than residential
occupancies shall contain an insulated grounding conductor
sized in accordance with the National Electrical code and
bonded to all metallic boxes, wiring devices , motors,
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em► utilization equipment, and all devices requiring
grounding.
H. Spas, hot tubs, hydro-massage bathtub pumps and
equipment shall be bonded to the nearest continuous
metallic cold water pipe. Their dedicated circuits shall
be GFCI circuit breaker protected at the panel .
Section 7 . That Chapter 16 . 24 , Section 16 . 24 . 100,
entitled Wiring Methods , shall be amended to read as follows :
The following wiring methods shall be prohibited:
Cable Trays
Open Wiring On Insulators
Messenger Supported Wiring
Exception: This wiring method may be used for
outdoor installations only when specifically
permitted elsewhere in this code.
Concealed Knob-and-Tube Wiring
Integrated Gas Spacer Cable
Electrical Nonmetallic Tubing
Armored Cable
Metal-Clad Cable
Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable
Shielded Nonmetallic-Sheathed Cable
Service - Entrance Cable
Underground Feeder and Branch - Circuit Cable
Power and Control Tray Cable Type TC
Nonmetallic Extensions
Underplaster Extensions
Liquidtight Flexible Nonmetallic Conduit
Manufactured wiring systems shall not be allowed
inside walls , or other inaccessible building spaces
e,,,,,, B. When services are upgraded in existing
residential occupancies, all new and existing wiring in
exposed areas shall be installed in conduit. Existing
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flexible wiring methods concealed in walls may be exposed
for a maximum of eighteen inches ( 18" ) in exposed areas in
order to connect to the new wiring system. " Existing
electrical systems which are of inadequate capacity shall
be replaced with a new system or shall be supplemented
with new wiring and equipment, as necessary, to meet the
requirements of these guidelines .
Section 8 . That Chapter 16 . 24 , Section 16 . 24 . 140,
entitled Overcurrent Protection, shall be amended to read as
follows :
A. Except as may be specifically approved by the
electrical inspector, each occupancy shall be provided
with fuse or circuit breaker type branch circuit
overcurrent devices for the number of circuits as required
to serve the minimum loads stated herein, except that for
single family dwellings, the minimum shall not be less
than one ( 1 ) circuit for every 350 square feet, or
fraction thereof, of floor area. The floor area shall be
computed from the outside dimensions of the building or
area involved, including one-half ( 1/2) the area of
basement, enclosed porches, garages, and breezeways .
B. Disconnects shall be installed within sight for
all fractional power, 120 volt, paddle fans, and water
heating equipment. In commercial occupancies disconnects
shall be installed for all water heating equipment.
C. On new installations for buildings with new or
existing four-hundred (400) amp or larger services , the
permit applicant shall include load and fault current
calculations to show methods utilized which will insure
that the available fault current will not exceed the
ratings of all devices and equipment.
Section 9 . That Chapter 16 . 24 , Section 16 . 24 . 160,
entitled Raceways or Conduit, shall be amended to read as
follows :
A. All interior installations or alterations shall
be approved metal raceways . All raceways exposed to the
weather shall be rigid steel metal conduit with approved
boxes and fittings . Rigid aluminum conduit can only be
used by special written permission from the code official .
B. Raceways In Concrete: Rigid steel metal
conduit, PVC coated steel conduit, floor duct, and PVC
schedule 40 or 80 are the only acceptable raceway types
for use in concrete slabs if the slab is in any manner
resting on, or contacting, the earth. Any permanently
exposed risers emerging from the concrete base or slab
shall be rigid steel metal conduit.
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e.. If the slab does not rest on or contact the
earth, additional conduit types approved are
electrical metallic tubing and intermediate metal
conduit .
C. Underground Raceways : Rigid steel metal
conduit, PVC coated steel conduit, and PVC schedule 40 or
80 are the only acceptable raceway types for use
underground.
D. Raceway fittings : All raceway fittings
locknuts , bushings, couplings, or connectors shall provide
secure mechanical and electrical joints .
E . Bushings : Where a raceway enters a box or other
fitting, an insulating bushing shall be used to protect
the wires from abrasion unless the design of the box or
fitting is such as to afford equivalent protection.
F. Intermediate metal conduit shall not be allowed
in hazardous classified areas .
G. Electrical metallic tubing shall be allowed for
temporary services .
H. All raceways shall be securely fastened by means
of an approved electrical fastener to the building
structure at least every ten ( 10) feet and within three
( 3) feet of every box.
Section 10 . That Chapter 16 . 24 , Section 16 . 24 . 180,
entitled Conflicts With Other Provisions, shall be amended to
read as follows :
Conflicts With Other Provisions . When the
provisions of this chapter conflict with any other
provision of the Elgin Municipal Code regulating the same
subject matter, the more stringent or restrictive
provision shall apply.
Section 11 . That nothing in this ordinance or in the
Electrical Code hereby adopted shall be construed to affect any
suit or proceeding impending in any court, or any rights
acquired, or liability incurred, or any cause or causes of
action acquired or existing; nor shall any just or legal right
or remedy of any character be lost, impaired or affected by
this ordinance.
Section 12 . That this ordinance shall be in full force and
effect immediately after its passage in the manner provided by
law.
Kevin Kelly, Mayor
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e'' Presented: March 11, 1998
Passed: March 11, 1998
Omnibus Vote: Yeas 7 Nays 0
Recorded: March 12, 1998
Published:
Attest:
9P-i7114-v%-f_Dolonna Mecum, lerk
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